The Global Impact of Biophilic Design in the Workplace

Transcription

1 HUMAN SPACES: The Global Impact of Biophilic Design in the Workplace Should a work place be any different from the other spaces people inhabit? The relationship between individuals and their environment can be a crucial determinant of how they feel, perform and interact with others. So, designing spaces that inspire, energise and support the people who use them is a global imperative. People s connection to nature biophilia is an emergent field that can help organisations meet that challenge. This unique study explores the relationship between psychological well-being, work environments and employee expectations on a global scale for the first time.

2

3 Report Guide Preface From Bill Browning 4 Opening Message From Professor Sir Cary Cooper 5 Biophilic Design at Work 6 The Case for Biophilic Design 11 Global Urbanisation 9 Global Research into Biophilic Design 14 Psychological Responses 17 The Impact of Biophilia Well-being 19 A Window On the World Productivity 25 Presenteeism in the Workplace Creativity 30 Summary 33 Key Messages 36 Appendix 38 Appendix One Summary of Global Findings 39 Appendix Two Summary of All Cross Country Findings 41 Appendix Three Reference List 44 HUMAN SPACES: The Global Impact of Biophilic Design in the Workplace 3

4 Preface It is an exciting time in the history of design, a time in which new science is informing our choices to improve people s experience of the built environment. Professor Sir Cary Cooper and his team at Robertson Cooper have a track record of expanding our collective understanding of how to create the best possible workplaces. This study undertaken by Robertson Cooper adds further strength to our understanding of how reconnecting people to nature in the built environment improves well-being and productivity. While many of the responses to biophilic design are universal human reactions, this work also highlights some of the subtle cultural differences in these responses. This study is another valuable contribution for supporting the important practice of biophilic design. Bill Browning, Founding Partner of Terrapin Bright Green, and one of the green building industry s foremost thinkers and strategists 4 HUMAN SPACES: The GlobaI Impact of Biophilic Design in the Workplace

5 Opening Message From Professor Sir Cary Cooper This new research report is an important and practical piece, showcasing for the first time the universal connectivity of humans with their natural and built environments. As well as enabling organisations to make links between their physical spaces and the performance of their people, this study throws light on some of the cultural differences at work across the world, and offers an answer to one of the defining factors of modern life our ability to cope with urbanisation and loss of connection with green spaces. The backdrop to this report is both the movement of populations from rural to urban environments, and the psychology of work what do we expect and need, and are those expectations different from country to country, organisation to organisation? The new findings revealed in this report, about how nature and biophilic design impact our well-being, productivity and creativity at work, are significant. But I hope of equal significance is that this report can inspire business owners and commercial designers to take a new approach and prompt everyone to think about their own unique workplace and how best it can support people to thrive. Professor Sir Cary Cooper, CBE, Professor of Organisational Psychology and Health at Lancaster University, and leading expert on well-being and stress at work HUMAN SPACES: The Global Impact of Biophilic Design in the Workplace 5

6 HUMAN SPACES: Biophilic Design at Work

7 Biophilic Design at Work Biophilia, a concept first popularised by Edward O. Wilson in , describes the innate relationship between humans and nature, and concerns the need we have to be continually connected to nature. Plenty of research confirms this human preference for the natural, rather than built, environment 2. For example, in a 2004 study, when asked to describe their ideal city, people more often chose non-urban characteristics, greenery in particular 3, and in other studies it has been shown that a pleasant and natural view can raise the price of a house considerably 4. Although it has been proposed that this desire for a connection to nature is the result of an anti-urban bias combined with a romantic view of nature, environmental psychology research tells us that being connected to nature, is in fact, an adaptive human function that allows for, and assists with, psychological restoration 5. This means that within an urbanised environment, bringing in elements that allow direct nature connection (such as parks and lakes) or indirect connections (i.e. interior design using natural elements, nature-resembling colours and patterns, indoor plants and views of greenery) can help us to mentally recover and provide respite from our day-to-day activities, to maintain positive well-being. Interest in biophilia has grown substantially over the last decade, largely due to the rapid urbanisation of the modern world, which has resulted in cities that are characterised by a predominance of manmade structures. Global figures show this incredible shift in populations moving into urban areas over the last 60 years. Some countries, including those we have analysed in this report, have seen an increase of over 40% in the number of individuals in the population residing in urban areas since In particular, those countries that have seen the greatest economic development in recent years appear to be the nations with the greatest increase in urbanisation, such as Brazil (51%), Indonesia (42%), the Philippines (39%), and China (32%). Globally, it is clear that people are moving away from rural areas to towns and cities. In fact, the United Nations predicts that by 2030, 60% of the world s population will live in urban environments. Therefore, it is imperative that we consider how the human-nature connection can still be provided to those residing in towns and cities. The answer to this challenge is biophilic design. Often, we find that our cities and suburbs have been designed in a way that alienates us from nature and degrades the environment. Biophilic design is a method of designing the places in which we live and work in such a way that satisfies our deep and fundamental need to be connected with nature. The effects of providing this connection to nature go much further than simple employee satisfaction. An increasing research base has identified the positive benefits of biophilic design in supporting multiple organisational outcomes, including well-being, productivity and creativity. The focus of this report is on the potential benefits to be gained by satisfying humans biophilic needs in the workplace, as well as the issues that surround working in environments that do not provide a connection with the natural world. Following an EMEA (Europe, Middle East & Africa) Human Spaces report published in 2014, which analysed original data across eight countries in the region and looked specifically at the impact of biophilic design in that geographical area, a second wave of data collection has provided the base for a global research project. Collecting data from 16 countries around the world, this research quantifies the benefits of biophilic design in the workplace. While adding to the existing evidence base for biophilic design, we aim to provide a blueprint for nature-inspired design for high-performing organisations. HUMAN SPACES: The Global Impact of Biophilic Design in the Workplace 7

8 Biophilic Design at Work Research Methodology & Sample Profile Online survey of office workers across a variety of roles and sectors employees from 16 countries across the world - United Kingdom (UK), France, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Demark, United Arab Emirates (UAE), United States (US), Canada, Brazil, Australia, Philippines, India, China and Indonesia. Largest proportion of respondents fell in the age bracket (58%). Largest proportion of respondents spent hours a week at work (40%). 39% felt % productive at work during the last three months. Well-being refers to the combination of participants responses to three scales: happy; inspired; and enthusiastic. These scales are taken from Robertson Cooper s market-leading stress evaluation tool (ASSET). 8 HUMAN SPACES: The GlobaI Impact of Biophilic Design in the Workplace

9 Biophilic Design at Work Global Urbanisation The table below highlights the increases in the amount of people living in urban areas during the last 60 years across the 16 countries investigated in this report. Countries with the greatest increases in urbanisation are highlighted in blue 6. Country Percentage of Population Living in Urban Areas Increase Australia Brazil Canada China Denmark France Germany India Indonesia Netherlands Philippines Spain Sweden United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States HUMAN SPACES: The Global Impact of Biophilic Design in the Workplace 9

10 Biophilic Design at Work The consequences of a decline in physical contact with nature are poorly understood, especially in those countries that are urbanising the fastest. The purpose of the present study was to extend the scope of our research into biophilic design by analysing its impact on people across the globe. Background to Biophilia Biophilic design is a response to the human need to connect with nature and works to re-establish this contact in the built environment. Ultimately, biophilic design is the theory, science and practice of creating buildings inspired by nature, with the aim to continue the individual s connection with nature in the environments in which we live and work every day 7. In today s contemporary built environment, people are increasingly isolated from the beneficial experience of natural systems and processes 8. Yet it is often natural settings that people find particularly appealing and aesthetically pleasing. So, by mimicking these natural environments within the workplace, we can create workspaces that are imbued with positive emotional experiences. It is often the case that we don t take enough time to immerse ourselves in nature or appreciate the living systems that exist everywhere around us, making it vital for us to incorporate nature into our day-to-day environments. 10 HUMAN SPACES: The GlobaI Impact of Biophilic Design in the Workplace

11 HUMAN SPACES: The Case for Biophilic Design

12 The Case for Biophilic Design As it stands, the field of research into the benefits of biophilic design is accumulating evidence at a rapid pace. In an evaluative review of more than 50 empirical studies 9, it has been concluded that an environment devoid of nature may create discord, meaning that such environments can have a negative effect on health and well-being. It is noted that this discord is largely due to a lack of greenery and, in particular, a visual absence of plants. This can be improved by incorporating elements of nature into these environments, by creating parks, offering views of nature through windows, and the presence of potted plants. More recently, there has been an increasing amount of research focussing on biophilia in the context of the workplace, looking specifically into the interaction between the design of the workplace and employee outcomes. However, despite evidence that shows people benefit from being connected with nature, it is concerning that a biophilic approach to the design of work environments is not placed higher on the global corporate agenda. Our findings emphasise the dramatic impact that even simple changes to incorporate nature in the workplace can have on how employees feel when they come to work, and how happy, creative and productive they feel when they are working. This should encourage organisations to consider these effects and take action to incorporate biophilic design practices into the workspace. While the primary focus of this report is employee well-being, productivity and creativity, we also pay attention to measures of happiness, enthusiasm and motivation in examining how bringing nature into the workplace can elicit these positive emotions. Global Key Findings A third (33%) of office workers say that the design of an office would affect their decision to work at a company. Only 42% report having live plants in the office and an alarming 47% report having no natural light in their office. Almost a fifth (19%) of respondents report that there are no natural elements present in their office. Just under half (47%) of all respondents agree that they have felt stressed in their workplace within the last three months. This finding emphasises the importance of identifying and enforcing practices that can improve well-being at work such as biophilic design. Two thirds (67%) of respondents report feeling happy when walking into bright office environments accented with green, yellow or blue colours. 24% of respondents say that their workplace does not provide them with a sense of light and space. 39% of workers felt most productive at their own desk in a private office. Others said they felt most productive at their own desk in an open plan office (36%). 28% of respondents report that they do not have a quiet space to work in their office. 12 HUMAN SPACES: The GlobaI Impact of Biophilic Design in the Workplace

13 The Case for Biophilic Design Adaptable Workspaces Globally, our research has shown that workers productivity depends upon the environment they are in. 39% of workers felt most productive at their own desk in a private office. The countries with the greatest preference for a private office were Germany (59%), China (52%), Canada (50%), Sweden (49%), the US (45%), Denmark (44%), France (43%) and the Netherlands (41%). 36% felt most productive at their own desk in an open plan environment. There has been a tendency for professional workforces to move towards open plan spaces. However, what we can see from this data is that we have individual preferences on office layout and it is important to take this into consideration, along with cultural preferences. Overall, 28% of respondents in the present study said that they do not have a quiet space where they can go to work. Furthermore, over 10% felt most productive in a space that suited the task, such as a quiet room for a call, or break out area. While it is only natural that preferences for type of workspace will vary, what this shows is that productivity is impacted significantly by our surroundings. HUMAN SPACES: The Global Impact of Biophilic Design in the Workplace 13

14 HUMAN SPACES: Global Research into Biophilic Design

15 Global Research into Biophilic Design The Human Spaces report into The Global Impact of Biophilic Design in the Workplace is the first study to take a global perspective of the current state of workplace design, the effect that existing design practices are having on workers, and how making a change by bringing nature into the workplace can have a significant impact. One of the most crucial findings to emerge from the analysis is that a third (33%) of all respondents in the global study say that the design of an office would affect their decision to work for a company. Global office landscape This latest data further confirms the role that biophilia can play as part of an employer s brand; a growing area of focus for businesses competing for talent. According to Backhaus and Tikoo 10, employer branding represents a firm s efforts to promote, both within and outside the firm, a clear view of what makes it different and desirable as an employer. While those efforts include core elements like remuneration and personal development, our survey results demonstrate clearly that office design is also a part of the mix. 47% have no natural light 58% have no plants Over ten years ago, a US study 11 found that only 22% of workers quoted the physical environment as a key desirable factor when looking for a new role. Our new research shows that this has grown to 27% in the US, compared to the global figure of 33%. This global figure is significantly impacted by data from India, Indonesia and the Philippines, with 67%, 62% and 60% of workers, respectively, being significantly influenced by workplace design. When the same question was put to workers in the EMEA study, only 23% of respondents said the design of an office would affect their decision to work for a company. It s possible to attribute this difference to the increase in awareness about the benefits of design factors, although it may be due to cultural differences in employee expectations surrounding their workplace and what it provides. Regardless of the differences, the statistics across all countries are significant and relevant, as they demonstrate workplace design has a definite impact on workers perception of an organisation. For organisations with ambitions to lead their market and compete for the most valuable employees, biophilic design can create a clear point of difference, alongside other elements of the employer brand. HUMAN SPACES: The Global Impact of Biophilic Design in the Workplace 15

16 Global Research into Biophilic Design Many of the largest global businesses have renowned office environments that are not only part of an external brand, but can also help to deliver a positive employee experience. The foremost of these environments have entered popular culture for example, Google s Googleplex and the Apple campus at 1 Infinite Loop. The impact of this type of expansive approach is reflected in a number of independent studies showing an increase in both productivity and employee retention as the result of environment transformation at work. Anthony Ravitz, leader of the Green Team at Google, talks about their efforts to measure productivity. For them, this isn t just how quickly you can do a task or even how well you can do it, it s about how you feel when you are doing it and if you have the energy to play with your kids when you get home at the end of the day 12. A number of previous case studies concerning biophilic design, such as the Genzyme example included in this report, have focussed on well-being and productivity gains following redesign or new builds. No major studies, however, have been conducted into subsequent changes in employee attraction, and this would represent an area of interest for further investigation. What our research does show, is that natural light hits the top of the list for the most wanted element within the workplace. However, a huge 47% of workers say that they have no natural light within their work environment. The countries with the greatest percentage of workers reporting that their office does not provide natural light were the UK (66%) and the US (64%). Interestingly, natural light was the number one requested element in the workplace in both countries, much more than any other element of design. Similarly, elements representative of the natural world, such as indoor plants and natural colours like green, blue and brown, also made the top five, yet 58% of workers report having no greenery, in the form of plants, within their work environment. The disparity between the preferences for natural elements within the workplace and what is actually present highlights the prevalence of this issue across the globe. It would seem that a great number of organisations are failing to provide their workers with a connection to nature, evidenced by the data that shows workers lack natural light and plants in their office space. The implications of this, in addition to the tangible benefits gained when nature is brought into the workplace, are explored in the following sections of the report. We break down the impact of being connected to nature in the workplace into three key areas: the impact on employee well-being; productivity; and creativity. Top five elements most wanted in the office Natural light (44%) Indoor plants (20%) Quiet working space (19%) View of the sea (17%) Bright colours (15%) The research findings allow us insight into this human connection with nature and the influence of well-designed workspaces. The range of responses also allows us to make comparisons between different cultures, geographical regions and stages of economic development to propose their likely impact on employee preferences and the degree to which individuals are affected by those preferences. 16 HUMAN SPACES: The GlobaI Impact of Biophilic Design in the Workplace

17 Global Research into Biophilic Design Comment From Professor Sir Cary Cooper: Looking at a snapshot of global working environments, up to one in five people have no natural elements within their workspace and alarmingly nearly 50% of workers have no natural light. Yet a third of us say that workplace design would affect our decision to join a company. There s a big disparity here, and one that hints at workplace design only recently rising to prominence as a crucial factor. For the organisations that focus on their spaces, and work hard to deliver meaningful, inspiring workplaces, the dividends are made clear in this study. Performance jumps, as does creativity. Yet, there are no off-the-shelf templates for the utopian work environment. Incorporate biophilia, yes, but listen to your people to make sure their preferences and ideals are reflected too. Psychological Responses In addition to surveying workers about the presence of natural elements in the workspace, we also asked people to report on their emotional state at various points throughout the day. This enabled us to examine the immediate psychological impact of biophilic design elements upon the individual when they first enter their workspace. The results (see table below) show clearly that workers entering environments that welcome workers with natural greenery are much happier and inspired. This places emphasis on the importance of creating as natural a work environment as possible in order to evoke these positive feelings among employees. In contrast, we also find that workers who do not have greenery within their work environment feel more anxious and sometimes bored when they enter the workplace. GLOBAL RESEARCH FINDINGS The table below presents the percentage of respondents (N=7600) that report feeling happy, inspired, anxious or bored when entering workplaces that either do or do not provide internal green spaces. How do you feel when you enter the workplace? Internal Green Space Yes No Positive Feelings Negative Feelings Happy 15% 9% Inspired 32% 18% Anxious 2% 5% Bored 5% 11% Comment from Steelcase, leading office furniture manufacturer: Well-being is made tangible through the workspace this isn t simply about work environments with better ergonomics or more comfort. We believe that the workplace can be a place where people actually leave healthier than when they arrive in the morning. Nancy Hickey (Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer). HUMAN SPACES: The Global Impact of Biophilic Design in the Workplace 17

18 HUMAN SPACES: The Impact of Biophilia

19 The Impact of Biophilia 1. Well-being It seems clear that urban life, with its disconnection from the natural world, stimulates a desire for contact with nature that needs to be satisfied. A key factor in maintaining positive well-being is reducing levels of stress. Research has identified that visible connections to nature can have a positive effect on an individual s reported stress levels. In a review of numerous studies looking at the effects of different landscapes on health, it was found that natural landscapes had a more positive effect compared to urban landscapes 13. In fact, in some cases, urban landscapes had a negative effect. According to our findings, this is certainly the case in France, where views of natural scenes such as greenery, wildlife and even ocean views were linked to the greatest levels of well-being among office workers and window views of urban scenes, such as roads and buildings were linked to a lower sense of well-being. Bill Browning: Measured Responses Responses to biophilic experiences have been measured in a number of ways. Much of the early work focussed on visual preferences, indicating strong affiliations for savannah and savannah analogue landscapes. These findings were enhanced by later research showing that viewing images of such landscapes trigger a stronger dopamine response (i.e. pleasure indicator) in the visual cortex of the human brain than scenes of nature-less manmade landscapes. Other measured responses include faster recovery from major surgery and shorter stays in psychological wards. Direct physical responses can be measured in heart rate and blood pressure, and through the levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Other measured responses include better cognitive performance and enhanced creativity 14,15,16,17,18,19,20. Our data shows that, in Canada, the provision of green space is important in ensuring that workers well-being is at a positive level. This is supported in recent empirical research that looked at the associations between well-being and nature connectedness among a student population. Significant associations emerged, showing that when people were connected to nature in both their internal and external environment, they reported much greater levels of well-being 21. Our analysis has shown that perceptions of well-being can increase by up to 15% when people work in surroundings that incorporate natural elements, providing that connection to nature, in contrast to those who have no contact to nature in their workplace. An increase of this size is certainly significant with such a large sample that is representative of the global population. For well-being to increase this dramatically is evidence of the power of biophilic design in the workplace and the positive impact that this can have on employees. Workers in office environments with natural elements, such as greenery and sunlight report a 15% higher level of well-being HUMAN SPACES: The Global Impact of Biophilic Design in the Workplace 19

20 The Impact of Biophilia Well-being Considering these findings in conjunction with workers reports that 47% have no natural light and 58% have no natural greenery, organisations and designers are urged to consider design practices that ensure these elements are present in the workplace to help maintain and increase levels of well-being. The Restorative Effects of Nature At work, when we focus our attention on a demanding task, factors in our environment that disrupt us can lead to mental fatigue. However, workspaces that incorporate nature provide more tranquil settings that allow for more effortless attention that is less mentally draining and may indeed restore - rather than deplete - our mental capacity 22. In academia, this is referred to as Attention Restoration Theory 23, which posits that viewing and experiencing nature engages a different part of the brain from that used in high attentional focus. It is therefore concluded that environments dominated by elements of nature are thought to be more beneficial to the individual. This point emphasises the impact of nature on our cognitive capabilities, suggesting that by providing nature contact within the workspace, organisations can ensure consistent levels of job performance within their workforce. 20 HUMAN SPACES: The GlobaI Impact of Biophilic Design in the Workplace

21 The Impact of Biophilia Well-being GLOBAL RESEARCH FINDINGS Natural elements positively linked to well-being at work - Nature views: Having no window view was significantly related to greater levels of reported stress. In contrast, window views of greenery and water were linked with lower levels of stress. Accent colours: Employee well-being is positively impacted by offices that incorporate nature-resembling colours such as green, blue and brown. It was also found that the use of grey colours within the workspace had a significant negative impact on employees levels of stress. Nature within the workspace: Across the world, those who work in offices that provide natural light, live plants and greenery along with water features, report significantly higher levels of well-being than those who work in environments devoid of nature. Light and spacious workspaces: Those who report that their work environment provides a sense of light and space report greater levels of well-being in comparison to those who do not feel that their work environment is light and spacious. United States Case Study: Genzyme Corporation In 2004, world-leaders in biotechnology, Genzyme Corporation, designed a new corporate headquarters that includes features such as: natural light; a clear glass exterior; a central atrium with chandeliers at the base that reflect sunlight; indoor gardens; water features; and windows. This building was one of the first to achieve LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum status. 18 months after the structure opened, its staff survey found that: 88% said having direct views and access to the natural elements indoors improved their sense of well-being. 75% said the building s design increased their feeling of connection to co-workers. HUMAN SPACES: The Global Impact of Biophilic Design in the Workplace 21

22 The Impact of Biophilia Well-being The impact of the work environment is already well established in Robertson Cooper s 6 Essentials model - a robust model, validated by research with over 100,000 employees - that shows the key aspects of working life that affect workplace well-being and employee engagement. It is designed to guide the process of making well-being work for an organisation. 6 Essentials Resources and communication Control Balanced workload Job security and change Work relationships Job conditions Organisational outcomes Productivity and performance Attendance (sickness absence) Retention (turnover) Attractiveness to recruits Customer/user satisfaction Psychological Well-being Sense of purpose Positive emotions Individual outcomes Productivity and satisfaction Morale and motivation Employee engagement Commitment Health Among the Essentials is job conditions - this concerns how our work environment makes us feel. Job conditions are defined as those elements of the physical environment that impact employee experience that could be anything from being sat next to a noisy printer to having an uncomfortable workstation. While the 6 Essentials model emphasises the importance of removing the barriers to well-being created by job conditions, biophilic design adds a new and positive approach to the area. Rather than simply removing those hygiene factors that block individual well-being, it s clear that biophilic design can positively influence one of the 6 Essential Factors, and consequently be a direct driver of well-being. 22 HUMAN SPACES: The GlobaI Impact of Biophilic Design in the Workplace

23 The Impact of Biophilia Well-being A Window On the World Windows are the primary interface between the office worker and the external natural environment. As such, they provide a simple way of giving people the connection to nature that they need in order to avoid the discord associated with environments devoid of nature. Research in the US 24 has shown us the benefits of window views within the workspace. In an office of 90 people, it was found that workers who had a window that afforded a view of a nature scene recovered from low-level stress at a much quicker rate than those who only had a view of a blank wall. Further to this, the longer participants spent looking out the window at nature, the more rapidly their heart rate tended to decrease. This highlights the simple effect of nature on a human s physiological response to stress and how nature can help people to be less negatively affected by day-to-day pressure at work. As well as having the power to reduce the negative effects of stress, other research 25 shows that a green window view that provides natural lighting to employees workspaces had a big impact in reducing sickness absence rates among an organisation s employee population. This was compared to those with a view of a petrol station, for example, or those at desks in interior spaces with no view at all. The health benefits afforded by natural lighting and a connection with nature are taken as the explanation for the lower levels of sick leave reported among those with windows within their workspace. Natural light has emerged as a particularly important element of biophilic design throughout this report. It has not only been reported as the top preference on a list of many natural elements that individuals would like in their workplace, but also found to be linked to productivity in a number of countries in Europe (Germany, Sweden, UK and the Netherlands) and India, where it is by far the strongest predictor of high levels of employee productivity. Such findings emphasise the need for organisations to provide access to natural light through either office redesign where more open spaces are created, or through the creation of social areas within the workplace that provide people with access to natural light and a place for respite. Investigating exactly why people derive such great pleasure from viewing a dramatic and changing vista, research has shown that these scenes of nature may stimulate a reward structure in the brain that seeks information through the senses. Further to this, it has been shown that those scenes with the greatest amount of variety and randomness should produce the greatest amount of activity in the brain and, as such, be of the greatest pleasure for the viewer. Conclusive research in this area is ongoing. Research suggests that, in order to positively stimulate workers, employers should consider the visual environment surrounding each employee and evaluate the potential benefits for employee well-being and performance when this environment is perceptually stimulating 16. Access to window views is a simple way of providing this stimulation. However, as research shows us that it is the variation in patterns, textures and colours of nature that brings us pleasure, we can take this knowledge and think about how we might re-create this within the indoor environment when access to a window is not feasible. HUMAN SPACES: The Global Impact of Biophilic Design in the Workplace 23

24 The Impact of Biophilia Well-being Bill Browning: Real vs. Simulated Nature A number of studies in hospital environments have found that showing pictures of pleasing landscapes to patients just before or just after surgery resulted in lower stress levels and better recovery rates. Similarly, wall-mounted video screens displaying images, or real-time video of natural scenes, resulted in reduced stress rates in windowless environments. These beneficial results therefore lead to the question of whether there is a difference in response to real versus simulated nature. In a study at the University of Washington, participants were subjected to a stressful experience and given one of three different recovery period conditions. These were sitting at a desk facing a wall of grey curtains, or facing a wall with grey curtains with one segment open to reveal a window with a view to a water feature and some trees, or facing the wall with grey curtains with one segment open to reveal a high-definition flat-screen television of the same dimensions as the window and displaying real-time video of the view out the aforementioned window. The recovery response with just the grey curtains was slow. The recovery response to the video monitor was better both psychologically and physiologically. Finally, the psychological response (i.e. perceived recovery) to the real window was similar to that of the simulated window, and the physiological response to the real window was significantly better than the simulated window. Essentially, we have come to learn that, while simulated nature has value, real nature is better 19,26,27. The consequences for workers who don t have access to a window view are more predominant in Germany and India, where office workers with no windows reported lower levels of happiness at work. Research findings showed that productivity was much higher when German workers had a view of nature, while in India a view of wildlife was linked to greater levels of creativity. Overall, the growing evidence base supports biophilic design as a factor that can positively influence the well-being of workers within an organisation, and the findings presented here provide further evidence for this. Bill Browning: Daylight vs. View to Nature Studies reinforce that access to both daylight and a view out of a window to nature are important in supporting our well-being and productivity. However, we should be aware that these are different strategies with different responses. While quality daylight is important, studies by Heschong and Loftness 28,29 of a utility company call centre, highlight how views to nature can enhance the benefits of a good daylighting strategy. The call centre is located in a LEED Gold certified building, with extensive windows looking out on trees. The space is well lit, however the positioning of workstations perpendicular to the windows required occupants to turn their bodies away from their computer screens to access the view outdoors. By shifting the position of the workstations to an acute angle to the windows meant that the movement of leaves, birds, butterflies and weather patterns would now be within the peripheral vision of the occupants. These occasional distractions cause occupants to look away from the short visual focus of their computer screens and observe the nature outside. This short pause results in a relaxation response that then supports better attention on the work task. Moving the workstations cost about $1,000 per occupant, but resulted in a 6% increase in call processing capacity, or about a $3,000 return per occupant. 24 HUMAN SPACES: The GlobaI Impact of Biophilic Design in the Workplace

25 The Impact of Biophilia 2. Productivity Feeling good often equates to being able to do more. In addition to the abundance of research that confirms the relationship between well-being and productivity 30 there is also clear evidence directly linking biophilia with an organisation s output. One of the more recent, and most relevant, research studies looking at these effects was carried out in the UK (a study called The relative benefits of green versus lean office space: Three field experiments 31 ), where university researchers in Cardiff compared the levels of productivity of two groups of office workers who were exposed to different levels of nature contact. They found that those who worked in offices with natural greenery saw a 15% rise in productivity over a three month period, in comparison to those working with no greenery or natural elements within their immediate environment. Workers in office environments with natural elements, such as greenery and sunlight are 6% more productive GLOBAL RESEARCH FINDINGS For the first time, this research is showing universal links between productivity and office design. Despite the various cultural differences surrounding work and workspaces across the 16 countries that contributed respondents to the survey, the following elements were positively linked to productivity in all cases. They present a template for biophilic design in the workplace, which can be further tailored to match an organisation s unique context. Natural elements positively linked to productivity at work - Nature views: Viewing external nature scenes from the office space had a positive impact on workers productivity. Accent colours: Colours such as blue, green and yellow were associated with higher levels of productivity. Nature within the workspace: Ensuring the presence of natural elements within the workplace, such as plants, green space, plenty of light and elements of water predicted greater levels of productivity. HUMAN SPACES: The Global Impact of Biophilic Design in the Workplace 25

26 The Impact of Biophilia Productivity This research has found similar relationships between the presence of natural elements and productivity, made more interesting by cultural differences. For example, in the UK, the Netherlands and the Philippines, it was found that the presence of indoor plants was positively associated with productivity. In contrast, workers productivity in India and Indonesia was linked to the presence of green office colours. In Germany there was less focus on office colour, instead it was the use of stone elements that was most strongly linked to employees performance. In Australia, it was the use of wood within the office design and furnishings that contributed to greater levels of productivity, yet in Canada the presence of greenery indoors was most crucial for ensuring high levels of employee productivity. Further detail on specific cultural preferences from the Human Spaces research can be found in Appendix Two. The variance in the impact and prevalence of office design elements from region to region is expected and likely influence of cultural factors to explain these differences can be noted. However, more research is required to comment definitively on the drivers of specific employee preferences in workplace aesthetic and design. What the results do emphasise clearly is the diversity and depth of workplace design considerations. For a multinational firm expanding into a new country or region, it s likely that a form of cultural compatibility testing will be undertaken on the existing operating model, product or service, corporate culture and so on. This research demonstrates a clear case for office environment and biophilic design to be included among this list in addition to domestic firms taking a more in-depth approach to examining the impact of their work environments. In the US, our findings show that workers without views of nature have impaired levels of productivity. Another survey in the US 32 found 40% of people agreeing that natural greenery within their indoor environment made them feel calmer and more relaxed. Furthermore, those residing in environments that incorporate external green space indicate that having this space is important for their well-being. Taking this investigation into the office environment, employees also report that plants make them feel calmer and more relaxed, frequently stating that an office with plants makes it a more desirable place to work 33. Similarly, in the UK, live plants in the office have a positive effect on productivity - specifically, people who have access to this greenery within their workspace report higher levels of productivity than those with an absence of these elements. Although the US and the UK can be considered as countries that are much more advanced in their understanding of biophilic design and the benefits it can have for employees and the organisation s productivity as a whole, the findings here suggest that they still lack in implementing this type of design within their office environments. This is clear from the fact that both the US and the UK reported the lowest levels of natural light, the element that is rated as the top most wanted element within the workplace. When we look at the Australian workforce, according to a National Health survey by Medibank 34, the population can be considered a high-risk group with more than half of people reporting stress at work. Stress-related claims cost Australian businesses over $200 million annually and exactly 53% of Australian workers surveyed say that they feel overwhelmed with pressure a significant proportion of the time that they are at work. Considering the positive benefits posed by biophilic design efforts, the findings reported here may be greatly beneficial to those organisations that relate to these alarming figures and want to take action to improve both the well-being and productivity of their workforce. Specific areas of focus, based on 26 HUMAN SPACES: The GlobaI Impact of Biophilic Design in the Workplace

27 The Impact of Biophilia Productivity the findings, would be to provide windows with views to outside nature, as these have emerged as strong determinants of both happiness and productivity among workers. The use of green and blue within the office colour scheme may also be beneficial in contributing to higher levels of creativity. China is another country of interest when it comes to the field of biophilic design due to the fact that it is urbanising faster than anywhere else in the world. Existing research conducted on school children in China tells us that, even from a young age, people living in urban environments are not being provided with the nature contact they require in order to meet their innate biophilic needs 35. Our research indicates that for the Chinese, above all else, natural light is the most important factor in maintaining healthy levels of wellbeing and productivity. The figures show that natural light was particularly more important in China than in other countries around the world. Interestingly, in comparison to other countries where the use of bright accents within the office colour scheme, such as blue, green and yellow are found to be related to employee outcomes, in China the colour brown appears to be significant in relation to both employee well-being and productivity. Although the reasoning behind these findings is not clear, what they show is that there are evident cultural differences and preferences in terms of specific elements of biophilic design that influence people in a positive way. The global scope of this report is a unique feature in that the research has been conducted on a large scale to investigate the impact of biophilic design. This means that the research has identified cultural differences in the impact and preference of biophilic design elements that have not been investigated before. In summary, biophilic design has an overall positive impact across the world, but there are significant cultural differences that must be taken into consideration when designing workplaces in a way that incorporates biophilic design practices. HUMAN SPACES: The Global Impact of Biophilic Design in the Workplace 27

28 The Impact of Biophilia Productivity Bill Browning: Colour The deep appeal of colour is an attribute of people s adaptive response to the natural world which, through evolution, has assisted in the location of food and water, and with way-finding. While many colours can have cultural meanings that vary significantly from place to place, there is also evidence that some colours engender deeper universal physiological and psychological responses, such as enhanced creativity, better cognitive focus, or a calming effect. A space with a colour palette that feels connected with nature may also be perceived as being a healthy place to dwell, in which one can feel stimulated or calmed. Evolutionary psychology and related research suggests that humans have a preference for colours familiar to savannah settings, particularly colours found in healthy vegetation. Colours commonly found in healthy natural landscapes are indicative of the presence of clean water, nutrient-rich vegetation, or fruits and flowers. Not all hues of a colour elicit the same response, and those that are typically found in stressed or dying vegetation may be perceived as less beneficial to human health and well-being. There is evidence that different colours are tied to specific outcomes. For instance, viewing dark to medium greens can lower the heart rate and blood pressure to alleviate stress, whereas orangey, weakly yellowed, or brownish greens, which are typically found in stressed or dying vegetation, are the least desired. In addition, the colour red can support mental engagement and attention necessary for cognitively intense tasks, and the colour blue and some medium greens can support mental capacity for tasks requiring creativity. For further details see the Savannah Hypothesis on page 32. As previously stated, we found that across a range of different occupations, in workplaces that incorporate natural elements such as greenery and sunlight, employees reported productivity levels 6% greater than those without these elements. Understanding the range and complexity of factors that can impact employee productivity is key for organisations wishing to prioritise performance initiatives and Human Resources (HR) strategy. It s important then to put biophilia and workplace design into context when looking at how they can drive individual and organisational outcomes. So, how does this 6% gain compare with other concepts in organisational psychology, well-being and performance? Work performance is heavily driven by factors that are personal to each employee, including sense of purpose, non-work pressures, psychological well-being, and personality. While these factors can contribute to performance gaps of up to and over 40% 30, the individualistic nature of these factors can mean they are more difficult to manage in order to elicit productivity increases of this scale. Looking then at the 6% increase in productivity for those working in environments that incorporate nature, employers and designers alike are presented with an option for increasing productivity that is less specific and much easier to implement in order to increase productivity organisation-wide. 28 HUMAN SPACES: The GlobaI Impact of Biophilic Design in the Workplace

29 The Impact of Biophilia Productivity Presenteeism in the Workplace Presenteeism is a relatively new area of study. It is defined as both the act of turning up to work while ill, and also of displaying low productivity and engagement at work despite being healthy in both cases it is often referred to as showing face time. Global figures to estimate its cost to employers do not yet exist, but according to the Foresight study of mental capital and well-being, presenteeism costs UK businesses 1billion per year, a cost estimated at 1.3 times that of absenteeism. In the US, these figures sit at over $200 billion lost per year due to lost productivity associated with poor health 36. These figures are a clear indicator of the benefit for businesses tackling the issue of presenteeism through a range of measures, including workplace design. An employee s perception of how valued and supported they are by their employer can be a key determinant of well-being at work. This perception is accounted for in many validated psychological tools that seek to measure well-being in the workplace and it represents a possible inherent benefit of biophilic design - that the act of providing a purpose-designed environment for employees can boost those perceptions of value and support and in turn, impact well-being. Given the economic imperative for organisations to provide positive work environments, and the wealth of academic evidence that shows the positive impact of biophilia, it is surprising that significant percentages of office workers across the globe still have no access to natural light (47%) or greenery (58%) within their environment. Such findings highlight a relatively straight-forward opportunity to improve workspaces and increase well-being, ultimately also reducing the likelihood of presenteenism among employees and keeping productivity levels high. HUMAN SPACES: The Global Impact of Biophilic Design in the Workplace 29